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Baked apple slices, hot and bubbly in naturally sweet apple cider with warm spices. Yep, this recipe makes the perfect paleo dessert or sweet breakfast treat to welcome fall!
Hi friends! Just letting you know this apple dessert recipe originally published a few years ago, but we’ve recently updated the recipe and added a few photos! Plus, it’s a seasonal recipe we’ve really been enjoying lately!
As I sit here typing, this very dish, a hot fruit bake with baked apple slices, is my oven. Third time making it. Yup! And the house smells A M A Z I N G!!
I’m not lying when I say the aroma is half of the reason I make this. In fact, it’s become my go to real food “potpourri.” The smell alone makes me feel like it’s Christmas morning, which makes me happy.
Kinda like these sticky coffee cake muffins. Don’t worry, Christmas is still a wee bit away from now!
Anyway, let’s talk about the deliciousness and simplicity of this paleo dessert. Yes, I said paleo. As in paleo friendly ingredients. I’m not sure cave men knew what caramel or cider was way back then, but you get my drift. This recipe is made with REAL food.
Cider baked apple slices
Fall’s favorite fruit, apples, are even sweeter when they’re baked with caramelized coconut sugar, chopped nuts, spices, and apple cider!
This dessert is a version of an old family recipe for spiced hot fruit bake. But this is paleo friendly and healthy.
And by healthy, I mean healthier, or rather, healthyish. By no means is this a superfood recipe.
But, it’s a HEALTHIER dessert, brunch, or breakfast topping option, and there are NO refined sugars.
Plus, it’s easy to make, and delicious. You can enjoy this as is, or use the baked apple slices in a tart, or as a topping for waffles, paleo pancakes, oatmeal, or ice cream.
INGREDIENTS + SUBSTITUTIONS
- butter – if you want to keep it lactose-free, use vegan butter or ghee
- coconut sugar – or you can use monk fruit sugar for low glycemic option.
- cinnamon and nutmeg – apple pie spice or pumpkin spice are great substitutes, because both of those blends include cinnamon and nutmeg!
- vanilla extract – if you want to add a nutty taste, almond extract is a great choice
- maple syrup – honey works great as well
- sliced baking apples – I use a combination of red and green. Firmer apples like Granny Smith and Gala will hold up better. If you want more of a chunky applesauce texture, choose a softer flesh apple, like McIntosh or Golden Delicious
- sweetened or unsweetened apple juice mixed with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar – this combo acts as as a replacement for apple cider. Plus, the vinegar prevents the apples from turning brown
- OPTIONAL toasted nuts – choose your favorite. Walnuts, pecans, or almonds all taste great with baked apple slices
Paleo dessert recipe video:
Watch this quick video to see just how easy this sweet treat is to make.
There really isn’t a lot of assembly required here. In fact, this recipe is pretty darn easy to make, especially because you don’t have to peel the apples!
INSTRUCTIONS
- Wash and slice the apples.
- Make the apple cider caramel. This is just a matter of melting the butter in a saucepan, then stirring in the sugar, and allowing it to caramelize. Easy peasy. After that, just stir in the other ingredients and let the mixture thicken a bit.
- Place apple slices into casserole dish and pour syrup over them.
- Bake in the oven until you have hot, bubbly, caramelized apple slices!
Heavens, yes! Sweet, tart, buttery baked fruit goodness.
Plus, the heavenly aroma. This dessert is everything that is perfect about fall…
Cider Baked Apple Slices (Gluten Free + Paleo Dessert)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hr 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
Baked apple slices, hot and bubbly in naturally sweet apple cider with warm spices. Make this paleo dessert recipe to welcome fall!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (8 tbsp) or vegan butter/ghee for lactose free
- 1/3 cup raw sugar or coconut sugar (see notes for less sugar option)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–4 tbsp maple syrup
- 5 –6 cups (250 –260 grams or so) of sliced apples (red, green, or mixed)
- 1/2 cup apple juice mixed with 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (this combo acts as the apple cider part)
- optional: 1/3 cup toasted nuts topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
- Slice your apples. Leave peel on. Place in a large bowl.
- In a small pot, combine the butter, maple syrup, sugar, vanilla, and spices.
- Bring to a soft boil and then reduce to low for 5 minutes. Just until it thickens or “caramelizes” a bit.
- Next pour your caramelized sugar over your apples in a bowl. Mix thorough.
- Place caramelized apples in a large casserole dish. Spread out evenly. Pour the apple juice/cider mix evenly on top.
- Sprinkle extra sugar and/or nuts if desired.
- Place in oven at 325 F for 1 hour, mixing apples halfway through baking.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately or cover, refrigerate and cool for later use.
- If serving later, rewarm in oven when ready.
Notes
Works well with vegan butter or ghee if you need to adjust for paleo/vegan. Great to make ahead and then reheat for serving.
Instead of nut topping, you can add in seeds or even leave without.
For lower sugar option feel free to use Monk fruit or baking stevia.
- Category: dessert
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramelized apples, baked apple slices, fall dessert recipe, gluten free desserts, paleo dessert
Other ways to enjoy cider baked apple slices
- On gluten free pancakes.
- With homemade no-churn vegan ice cream.
- With coconut whipped cream or frosting.
- On waffles.
- With roasted pork or pot roast! Oh my gosh, YUM!
Tell me what you’re looking forward to making this season.
Happy Fall! Happy Baking!
Cheers,
LC
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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OMG, Linds, I bet this smells absolutely incredible. Like apple cider on the stove, my favorite holiday smell. Instantly transporting!
yep, totally want tho bathe in the aroma. Too much? LOL!
Oh this would be perfect with some ice cream! Wishing o had this now. It’s finally starting to cool off enough for me to eat hot food again. I
yay for cooler weather! our season has arrived! haha
This couldn’t scream fall anymore if it tried! Looks amazing!
Right? I kinda got carried away! LOL!
O that looks heavenly! A sweet must-have all season long!
You know it!
Oh my! I am drooling here! The thought of the aroma this fills your house with is intoxicating indeed! Yes – I wish we could start every Monday THIS way – with ice cream! 🙂
i like your thinking!
Girl! This looks fantastic! I have some apple cider in my fridge, just waiting for this! Would I just use 1/2 cup instead of the ACV + apple juice? My family actually makes apple cider each year at an apple press–it is one of my favorite fall traditions!
Oh lucky you! Yes, even better with the real cider. Those apples can bathe in it! Haha. Keep me posted
There…are…no…words….!!! I want this for/alongside ever meal e’ery day! I love apple treats and this is such a beautiful recipe..simple, healthful…aaaaagh I want the whole lot of it!
thanks friend! i’m pretty speechless too, cause I’m stuffin my mouth with this. LOL!
I can just imagine the smell! I bet this makes the entire house smell incredible!
And yes…I’m a paper-and-pencil gal too. Love that break from the computer!
Omg this look amazing. I’m so loving fall right now and hope that it sticks around before winter comes to Chicago. eek!
i’m scared of you winter. LOL! dome visit me instead
instead of buying fall-smelling candles I’m just gonna go ahead and make this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! But seriously, this sounds amazing 🙂
I so agree Rachel!
Seriously… can’t get enough of your recipes!! 🙂
OMGGGG!! This sounds like the perfect thing to make and take with me to the gym. I’m obsessed wtih all the fall flavors! And what could be better then a warm bowl of this deliciousness after training clients for hours! Thanks for sharing!
yes! refuel with real carbs. LOVE IT!
I made an apple crisp this weekend out of the failed remnants of another recipe creation. I didn’t hate it, although I think I would love this a little better. I’m old school too. I use a notebook and pen for all recipes. It’s dog eared and chicken scratched like crazy and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
we should have had an apple party. Getting high on baked apple smell and writing in note books. Yes, that sounds awesome. LOL! Love you
I am definitely old school;. I write notes & forget them!!!! I am old too! 🙂
OMG this looks so amazing!!! I would sit down & eat the whole thing & yes the smells!!!!!!!!
old school is the best way to go!
I’m all over the apples for fall; this looks so delicious Lindsay! I actually find that I like coconut sugar, the deep rich taste of it better than regular sugar; it’s more like brown sugar for me. I love that you don’t skimp on making the Paleo baked goodies REALLY really good. All of your baked goods I’ve tried have been so delicious. Thank you for blessing people with them day after day!
I’m so glad! Love that coconut sugar for the same reasons. SO rich! Enjoy the mountains friend and I really appreciate all your encouragement and support. You are a blessing!
I love the addition of apple cider vinegar- this sounds awesome!
yes! i think you’d love it! Cider make it a little more zesty
Ooooh, this looks amazing! I love baked apples but you’ve taken them to a whole new level of deliciousness!
Loved this recipe! My husband and I made in for a quick dessert after family dinner and it was a hit! Even those who aren’t as health conscience as we are loved it;) Easy and delicious. We swapped out oats for the nuts.
★★★★★
oh wonderful! good to hear lex!
Apples are rich in vitamins and possess vitamin E, A, B as well as C. These vitamins help keep the skin young and healthy as well as they help in the whitening of teeth.
People make different recipe with apple like apple juice, apple cider, cake etc. I am kind of foodey and I visit youtube, blogs for new recipe.
Thank you for this recipe, love this.
★★★★★
the best food. Also, so is food that happens after laziness. Like this. I NEED IT.
AND, that is SO cool that you’re heading back! Can’t wait to see all the photos!
★★★★★
I am learning about the paleo diet and this definitely made into my list of recipes. Thank you!
Apple cider caramel baked apples looks so yummy and tasty.
★★★★
Amazing! My house smelled incredible too. I used regular butter. I will definitely make again!
★★★★★
This is such a perfect way to enjoy apples!!
★★★★★
Thank you!
Made these apples for breakfast, wow, what a hit! So cozy and delicious. This is a new fall favorite!
★★★★★
Yaayy! Glad these were a hit!
This is one of those recipes that literally smells as good at is tastes! My whole house smells like fall when I make this! And you know I love using maple syrup- so it’s a win on so many levels!
★★★★★
The flavors in this was out of this world! We loved it! Super way to make too!
★★★★★
Glad to hear you loved it! Thanks, Suzy!